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	PERROTT'S FOLLY AGENCY HISTORICAL NOTES AND BACKGROUND By Derek Grinnell Perrott's Folly Tower (left) was built in 1758 by John Perrott. It was fashionable at this time to build follies which were often grandiose edifices built for no specific purpose. In this case, however, it is possible that John Perrott, who owned a sizeable piece of forest land in this area, known as Rotton Park, wanted somewhere to entertain his friends and to show them the surrounding countryside. Later on, for about one hundred years, it was used as a weather station. These days, following repairs, it is hoped once again for people to be able to visit the folly on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Birmingham Waterworks Tower,(right) designed by J. H. Chamberlain, was built in 1870, as part of the Birmingham Waterworks Building. It was built in the Gothic style and is similar in height to Perrott's Folly. The two towers stand about one hundred yards apart.
J. R. R. Tolkien, as a boy, lived with his aunt, close by the towers, for a few years. The two towers area, therefore, was virtually in his "playground." Even today, they can exude a sinister and mystical aura if you allow your imagination to run rife. It is not hard, therefore, to think, as is the general opinion, that they could well have formed the basis of the two towers in "The Lord of the Rings." Virtually opposite Perrott's Folly Tower, in Waterworks Road, was another building, which was constructed about the time Tolkien came to live in the area, and with which he may well have been familiar. It was commonly known as St. George's Institute, and it served, amongst other functions, as a chapel, a centre for men's, boys' and girls' clubs and Band of Hope meetings. It came under the auspices of St. George's Church, Edgbaston.

In 1968 St. George's decided to dispense with the use of it, and sold it to St. Philip's Grammar School Old Boys, who refurbished it as a social club. Being a fairly active member of the Old Boys, I was soon involved on the committee. In 1970 we decided to start a Jazz Club, which we called the Waterworks. For the first three years we had a resident band every Saturday. Then we decided to change our policy and invite guest bands each week. First we had bands from Britain, and later we included many top American Jazz artistes. The Jazz Club was recognised as one of the best in the country and it also gained a reputation among the American artistes. In 1973 we decided, in addition, to start a Folk Club. We called it the Bell and Pump, after the old school bell and a water pump, which were detached from outside, refurbished and used as decorative features in the clubroom. Our first resident artiste was Terry McCann, a brilliant pianist and singer, who later won TV's "New Faces" and left to take up international commitments Our next residents were Mad Jocks and Englishmen, a hilarious and very talented group, who, over the many years of their residency, took the club from strength to strength, and were able to command a full house on their own. In addition to this we had a lineup of the most entertaining and talented guests, including many of the top names who were rarely seen in Folk Clubs. The Bell and Pump also gained a national reputation. Sadly, the St. Philip's Grammar School Old Boys found themselves obliged to sell the building in 1995 because of the workload involved in running it. However, the Waterworks Jazz Club is still going at the United Services Club in Gough St. Birmingham. (Click here for photos of Jazz and Folk artistes) Perrott's Folly Agency - Update Arising from a wish to help the artistes with whom we were initially associated, Derek started an agency in 1974/5 and, being a history enthusiast, chose the name of Perrott's Folly on account of its close proximity to the club building. Since Dereks death, his wife Jacqui is continuing to run the agency, but on a very limited basis, concentrating her efforts solely on Johnny Silvo who she continues to represent.

PERROTT'S FOLLY AGENCY

HISTORICAL NOTES AND BACKGROUND
By Derek Grinnell

Perrott's Folly Tower (left) was built in 1758 by John Perrott. It was fashionable at this time to build follies which were often grandiose edifices built for no specific purpose. In this case, however, it is possible that John Perrott, who owned a sizeable piece of forest land in this area, known as Rotton Park, wanted somewhere to entertain his friends and to show them the surrounding countryside. Later on, for about one hundred years, it was used as a weather station. These days, following repairs, it is hoped once again for people to be able to visit the folly on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Birmingham Waterworks Tower,(right) designed by J. H. Chamberlain, was built in 1870, as part of the Birmingham Waterworks Building. It was built in the Gothic style and is similar in height to Perrott's Folly. The two towers stand about one hundred yards apart.

J. R. R. Tolkien, as a boy, lived with his aunt, close by the towers, for a few years. The two towers area, therefore, was virtually in his "playground." Even today, they can exude a sinister and mystical aura if you allow your imagination to run rife. It is not hard, therefore, to think, as is the general opinion, that they could well have formed the basis of the two towers in "The Lord of the Rings."

Virtually opposite Perrott's Folly Tower, in Waterworks Road, was another building, which was constructed about the time Tolkien came to live in the area, and with which he may well have been familiar. It was commonly known as St. George's Institute, and it served, amongst other functions, as a chapel, a centre for men's, boys' and girls' clubs and Band of Hope meetings. It came under the auspices of St. George's Church, Edgbaston.

In 1968 St. George's decided to dispense with the use of it, and sold it to St. Philip's Grammar School Old Boys, who refurbished it as a social club. Being a fairly active member of the Old Boys, I was soon involved on the committee. In 1970 we decided to start a Jazz Club, which we called the Waterworks. For the first three years we had a resident band every Saturday. Then we decided to change our policy and invite guest bands each week. First we had bands from Britain, and later we included many top American Jazz artistes. The Jazz Club was recognised as one of the best in the country and it also gained a reputation among the American artistes.

In 1973 we decided, in addition, to start a Folk Club. We called it the Bell and Pump, after the old school bell and a water pump, which were detached from outside, refurbished and used as decorative features in the clubroom. Our first resident artiste was Terry McCann, a brilliant pianist and singer, who later won TV's "New Faces" and left to take up international commitments

Our next residents were Mad Jocks and Englishmen, a hilarious and very talented group, who, over the many years of their residency, took the club from strength to strength, and were able to command a full house on their own. In addition to this we had a lineup of the most entertaining and talented guests, including many of the top names who were rarely seen in Folk Clubs. The Bell and Pump also gained a national reputation.

Sadly, the St. Philip's Grammar School Old Boys found themselves obliged to sell the building in 1995 because of the workload involved in running it. However, the Waterworks Jazz Club is still going at the United Services Club in Gough St. Birmingham.

(Click here for photos of Jazz and Folk artistes)

Perrott's Folly Agency - Update
Arising from a wish to help the artistes with whom we were initially associated, Derek started an agency in 1974/5 and, being a history enthusiast, chose the name of Perrott's Folly on account of its close proximity to the club building. Since Dereks death, his wife Jacqui is continuing to run the agency, but on a very limited basis, concentrating her efforts solely on Johnny Silvo who she continues to represent.


	Licence no M446 Company Reg 1948833